Garang's former chef savours South Sudan's independence

Most chefs risk little more than the odd near miss chopping vegetables - but David Onsare isn't just any cook.

The Kenyan was the personal chef to the late South Sudanese hero and rebel leader, John Garang.

Now Mr Onsare prepares fancy dishes in one of the finest hotels in Juba, the capital of the world's newest country.

But before South Sudan gained its independence, he made dangerous journeys with Garang, the visionary rebel leader, preparing his food at every stop.

He got the unusual job after preparing what he calls "delicious food" for Garang at a Kenyan hotel he was working in.

The large bearded man sent his advisors to ask for a meeting.

'Lovely guy'

"I didn't know who he was, I had to ask him. He said: 'I'm a rebel in South Sudan.'"

Freshly-minted notes of the new South Sudan pound pay homage to John Garang

Mr Onsare overcame his fears, and agreed to work for Garang, for whom he has nothing but fond memories.

"He was a genius, a really lovely guy, a determined person. He liked laughing with people, he liked joking.

"I used to advise him to eat greens, so he didn't get gout. I told him: 'You are a person of great vision, you need to eat things that will not paralyse your legs.' He said: 'That's very good, are you a doctor?' I said: 'Yes, I'm a doctor of food."